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Mothballing Your Horse Trailer By Kentucky Equine Research Staff · November 1, 2011
After the last horse show, trail ride, or mounted club meeting in the fall, it’s time to put your trailer away for the winter. In order to have it ready to go in the spring, it’s a good idea to give the trailer a thorough cleaning before it’s parked for the season.
If possible, pick a warm, sunny day with a little bit of breeze. Empty the trailer completely, sweeping out all bits of hay and bedding. If dividers or partitions come apart, take them out for washing. Pull out the floor mats, scrub them with a commercial cleaner, and hang them over a fence to dry thoroughly. Dish soap and water are equally effective if you don’t have a commercial cleaner on hand.
Scrub all inside surfaces of the trailer, taking special care to clean stained areas and places where sides and floor meet. As you clean, check for rust, sharp edges, missing fasteners, and broken pieces. Make a list of needed repairs and plan to have them done as soon as possible. Check the floor for wear and schedule maintenance if needed.
Rinse everything and then leave trailer doors and windows open to facilitate drying. Meanwhile, wash the outside of the trailer, checking for rust, loose wires, door latches, and hitch condition. Waxing the outside once a year will help to keep paint and finish in good condition. A shot of lubricant quiets squeaky hinges and keeps moisture from settling there.
After everything is completely dry, reassemble dividers and put floor mats back. Park your trailer where you will store it, first mowing brush or tall grass from the area. Consider using tire covers to prevent sun damage while the trailer is not being used.
Don’t forget to schedule needed repairs right away. Although you might not think you will use the trailer for the next several months, you need to be ready for an emergency trip to the veterinary clinic or an evacuation because of a natural disaster (fire, flood, storms).
